College Football Recruiting 2012: The Biggest Winners and Losers of November

So we're now in December and November has come and gone. February is coming soon and this month is usually when recruiting really, really heats up. Rumors run even more wild now and shocking surprises happen.

Yet, this is going to be a review for the month of November. Who came out of the month not only full from Thanksgiving, but also feeling full from the recruiting trail? Who's sour about the month?

We'll get to it all!

Loser: Florida State

The Seminoles go down as a loser this month, even though they beat Florida. Recruiting wise, FSU basically has been docked down by four-star OLB/WR Josh Harvey-Clemons.

This is a sting and shock because Harvey-Clemons was thought to be a Florida State lean. Now, Alabama, Georgia and Florida are his top three.

Florida State is not out of the race, but they are behind three big time schools now.

Winner: Nebraska

I've been hard on Big Red this cycle as I do not like their small, seven-man class. The quality is nice, sure, but they need more pledges.

However, Nebraska is a winner because the Cornhuskers had a fantastic official visit with their top target, five-star OT Andrus Peat. Bo Pelini had Todd, Andrus' brother, be his host and Andrus really felt comfortable in Lincoln.

Winner: Georgia

Feeding a recruit a couple plates of roast beef, chicken, mashed potatoes and peach cobbler will usually help your cause. Georgia fed that to DE Jordan Jenkins and now the Bulldogs have made up substantial ground.

Now the Dawgs are right in the mix with Florida and Alabama, as Jenkins has noted the trip really gave him a fresh eye-opening perspective on Georgia.

Loser: Miami

My good friend Kynon Codrington of ESPN RISE is going to be a bit miffed at me, but I have docked Miami as a loser for seeing stud LB Keith Brown join forces with Illinois.

Brown was once a leader of this 2012 Miami recruiting class and when the scandal news broke, he started looking around due to fear of oncoming sanctions. 

Now Brown's looking around has led him to commit to Illinois, which happened this past month.

Winner: Auburn

Yes, they lost the Iron Bowl, but Auburn has to be feeling good as the Tigers enjoyed a great visit from five-star LB Kwon Alexander. Alexander is an Alabama native and yes, The Tide is hot on his trail also.

But Alexander mentioned that he can see himself playing at Auburn and the family atmosphere is very appealing. Look for Gene Chizik to stay on him hard.

Loser: Oregon

Oregon saw USC take away their BCS title game hopes and the month also was not kind to them on the recruiting trail. The Ducks, a one-time leader for five-star DB Shaq Thompson, were eliminated from the running.

Thompson feels the town of Eugene is too small for him, as he more accustomed to big cities. 

Then the Ducks also told five-star LB Kwon Alexander that they don't have room to bring him in for a trip. They'll continue to recruit Alexander, but it's highly doubtful he winds up in Eugene without an official visit now.

Winner: Ohio State

First, you get a pledge from five-star DE Adolphus Washington, the best player in your state and your top target. That's a huge coup for the Buckeyes.

Then you name Urban Meyer as your head coach. That's even bigger for the Buckeyes. Great hire and pick up.

Then you get word that Meyer has already gotten OSU into five-star DE Noah Spence's top five? Now that Michigan loss doesn't feel as bad. I have Ohio State as big winners for November.